Garthorpe race day attracts 1,000-strong crowd

A vociferous crowd of 1,000 endured chilly temperatures at Garthorpe on Sunday but they enjoyed another great day of racing.

Among the highlights were doubles for trainers Gerald Bailey and Tommie Morgan and wins for leading jockeys Gina Andrews and Claire Hart.

Sam Davies-Thomas celebrated a double on Tulsa and Agent For Chaos after he stepped in for stable jockey Kelly Morgan, who is suffering from a chest infection.

She hopes to be back on the track in time for the next Midlands meeting at Garthorpe, in a fortnight.

John Russell rode the Gerald Bailey-trained Gunmoney to a third consecutive victory in a Men’s Open, despite being pushed hard to the finish by second-placed Real Milan, who lost by a head.

“He never felt like he was going to get beat,” Russell said afterwards.

“And he jumped a lot better than he did at Horseheath last time out, where he made a few holes.”

Russell was injured in the Restricted, later in the day, after being kicked during a a fall from Easythingsarebest.

Lara Mahon and Awesome George, who won the club race there last May, had more success at the weekend, with victory in the AGA Ladies Open.

Lara said afterwards: “He ran away with me a bit but when we turned round the top and started down the hill I still had two handfuls and knew there was plenty left”.

The nine-year-olds and over Conditions race produced one of the most impressive performances of the day as Mr Madeit and George Greenock beat Nobby Kivambo by 10 lengths to complete a double for Gerald Bailey.

Thanks for Coming and Fred Henderson were 25 lengths back in third and Favourite Lough Inch made a rare mistake on the back straight and was pulled up.

Agent For Chaos was ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas to a good victory in the Restricted Race, a distance ahead of Brianogue, with Eastern Witness a distance behind them.

Tom Morgan’s yard had started the day well with a victory in the Garthorpe Hunts Club Members Race for Sam Davies-Thomas and Tulsa. They come home four-lengths clear of For A Change, which was last seen winning the Melton Hunt Ride under Rory Bevin.

The Henderson’s Dream Mistress was third after briefly looking like she was a match for the winner with two or three to jump.

The PPORA Club Members was won in style by Claire Hart, riding Dabinett Moon, who finished 20 lengths clear of Oliver James and Court Red Handed.

The eight-year-old bay mare was carrying a lot of weight and the ground wasn’t ideal for her but she needed a run and never looked like being beaten.

The first division of the Maiden was won by leading jockey Gina Andrews and Samarnni, trained by husband Tom Ellis. Gina said: “I was very surprised to win because he fell at the third fence last time out and he’s only run four times.”

The Martin Weston-trained Western Climate won the second division of the Maiden on his British pointing debut with Leo Mahon in the plate.

The winner finished eight lengths clear of Get Off My Cloud and Rudolph.

Next Midlands Pointing meeting is the South Wold at Brocklesby on Sunday.